September 4, 2009

Weekly Event Announcements for the City of Alexandria: September 5 – September 11, 2009

Sunday, September 6 – West End Farmers’ Market
The public is invited to the West End Farmers’ Market at Ben Brenman Park, located at 4800 Brenman Park Drive. The West End Farmers’ Market is open to the public on Sundays through November 22 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/recreation.

Tuesday, September 8 – Annual Doggie Day Swim
Pet owners and their dogs are invited to come out to the Annual Doggie Day Swim, a celebration of the end of the pool season at the Old Town Pool, 1609 Cameron St., from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. There is a nominal fee for dog admission. Proceeds benefit the Alexandria Welfare League. All dogs should wear current vaccination tags or proof of vaccinations must be shown. For more information, call 703.519.2160.

Tuesday, September 8 – Books to Film Discussion Group
On the second Tuesday of each month, readers and movie buffs are invited to gather at Beatley Central Library (5000 Duke St.) from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to talk about a novel, play, short story, or work of nonfiction and the motion picture version inspired by the written tale. This month, the group will discuss the book and movie To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. For more information, call 703.519.5900 ext. 3.

Wednesday, September 9 – Upper King Street Fresh Farmers’ Market
The public is invited to the Upper King Street Fresh Farmers’ Market, located at the King Street Gardens Park, 1806 King St., just a few steps from the King Street Metro. The Upper King Street Fresh Farmers’ Market is open Wednesdays through October 28 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, visit the Farmers’ Market Online.

Thursday, September 10 – Latin American Book Discussion Group
This book discussion group meets at the Beatley Central Library (5000 Duke St.) from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to discuss Latin American books. All discussion are held in English. For information on the stories that will be discussed, contact the Beatley reference desk at 703.519.5000 ext. 3.

Thursday, September 10 – “Bronx Princess” – Film Screening
Come to the Alexandria Black History Museum (902 Wythe St.) for a free screening of the new film “Bronx Princess” at 7 p.m. Follow headstrong 17-year-old Rocky as she leaves behind her mother in New York City to reunite with her father, a chief in Ghana, West Africa. By confronting her parents’ ideas of adulthood, Rocky reconciles her African heritage with her dream of independence. A discussion will follow the screening. For more information, please visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703.838.4356.

Friday, September 11 – 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
The City of Alexandria invites the public to pause, remember, and reflect on the tragic events of September 11, 2001 in a remembrance ceremony. The ceremony will honor those who bravely responded during the crisis, and celebrate the lives of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The City of Alexandria will also highlight the this year’s national theme of “Service to Community” by recognizing members from the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, United Way, and Volunteer Alexandria. For more information, contact the Alexandria Office of Communications at 703.746.3960.

Coming Soon! 

Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13 – Alexandria Festival of the Arts
Voted one of the top 100 art festivals in the country by Sunshine Artist magazine, the 7th Annual Alexandria Festival of the Arts is one not to be missed! Discover spectacular paintings, life-size sculptures, jewelry, photography, ceramics and more. This popular outdoor event will feature art for every taste and budget. It will be held in Old Town, located on King St. from Washington St. to the unit block at the waterfront. The festival hours are Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call the Alexandria Commission of the Arts at 703.746.5588.

Saturday, September 12 – Family Health & Fitness Day
The City of Alexandria, the Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria, the 50 Million Pound Challenge, State Farm and MECKids.com will sponsor a Family Health & Fitness Day at the Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe St.) from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will feature activities for youth, health screenings, nutritional information, bike tips, healthy snacks and more! Don’t miss Virginia Congressman Jim Moran and Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille, who will weigh in to determine who has won a May2009 weight loss challenge. For more information, visit www.alexhealth.org/partnership/healthy_lifestyles_initiatives.html or e-mail Aileen Orlino at aorlino@gwmail.gwu.edu.

Sunday, September 13 – Old Towne Dogge Walke
Put your best foot forward at the third annual Olde Towne Dogge Walke. This enjoyable event gives pet lovers the opportunity to stroll through historic Old Towne while raising critical funds for the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. For more information, visit www.alexandriaanimals.org.

Monday, September 14 - Grant Workshop Fiscal Year 20010-2011
The Alexandria Commission for the Arts will conduct two grant workshops on Monday, September 14 and Wednesday, October 7 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Dr. Oswald D. Durant Center, 1605 Cameron St. The workshops will provide information about the Commission’s annual grant program, which provides funding to nonprofit arts organizations for various arts programs, and instructions for the online grant application process. All applicants, including past grant recipients, are strongly encouraged to attend one of the grant workshops. For more information, visit www.alexandriacommissionorthearts.org and www.alexandriava.gov/arts.

Monday, September 14 – Tavern Toddlers
Join us for a special program for toddlers (walkers through 36 months) and their caregivers at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. Tavern Toddlers features a weekly open playtime in Gadsby’s historic ballroom Mondays, excluding Federal holidays, through November 16 any time between 10:30 a.m. and noon. New themes this fall! Cost is $7 for a group of three, which must include one adult, or $30 for purchase of a five-week pass. For more information, please visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.838.4242.

Friday, September 24 – Third Annual Alexandria Film Festival 
Join us for the Third Annual Alexandria Film Festival, September 24-27, at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial (101 Callahan Dr.), across from the King Street Metro. Sponsored by the Alexandria Commission for the Arts and the Office of the Arts, the Festival brings high-quality independent short and feature length films, documentaries, filmmaker panels, and arts presentations to Alexandria. For additional information, visit AlexandriaFilm.org.

Ongoing

Open through September 20 – “Living Legends” Exhibition 
The latest class of Living Legends of Alexandria is profiled in an exhibit at The Lyceum, Alexandria’s History Museum, 201 S. Washington St. This photography exhibition, featuring the work of Nina Tisara, celebrates people who have made remarkable contributions to the quality of life in Alexandria. “Living Legends of Alexandria 2008-09” showcases 26 nominees who have worked to improve life in Alexandria. The museum is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sundays, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The suggested admission is $2. For more information, visit alexandriahistory.org or call 703.838.4994.

Open through Saturday, October 3 – Spirits in a Bottle Exhibition
Artist Barbara Hardaway decorated more than a hundred Arizona Tea bottles for this exhibition of decorative expressions of an ancient African tradition. This whimsical show at the Alexandria Black History Museum (902 Wythe St.) pays homage to the 9th- and 10th-century Congolese tradition of adorning the ends of tree branches with colorful bottles that would catch the sunlight. Hardaway updated this ritual by festooning her bottles with feathers, fabric, beads, netting, ribbons and seashells. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Suggested admission is $2. For more information, please visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703.838.4356.